Australia’s domestic airfares have skyrocketed by 96% in some regions since May, and industry experts expect ticket prices to remain high for some time.
According to a market analysis by kayak on the ticket reservation site, the average round-trip price for domestic flights in July was AU $ 409 (US $ 282), up 24% from May.
Gold Coast residents saw the most significant rise in ticket prices, with the return economy rising 96% in Melbourne and 91% in Sydney.
Flights from Cairns to Brisbane are also 90% higher than in May. Flights from Adelaide to Melbourne are up 87% and flights from Darwin to Sydney are up 85%.
Prices for flights to domestic resorts are also skyrocketing.
Prices for flights from Brisbane to Alice Springs have risen 29% since May and are now at AU $ 1,058, which is AU $ 100 higher than flights to Fiji.
Round-trip tickets from Brisbane to Qantas Fiji are currently A $ 950.
The analysis used search results from the Kayak website for hundreds of travel sites in the company’s global brand portfolio, including SWOODOO, checkfelix, momondo, Cheapflights, Mundi, and HotelsCombined.
Expected increase in airfare
However, domestic airfares are expected to rise, and both Qantas and Virgin Australia said last month that they would pass on the cost of rising oil prices to travelers.
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce told reporters in Perth on June 24th.
“The way to do that is to reduce capacity …. The more seats you fill, the more efficient and the higher your airfare. That’s the reality.”
Joyce said at the time that fuel costs would increase by AU & $ 1.8 billion compared to pre-COVID levels.
Travel experts warn that those planning a vacation need to be prepared for ongoing high fares.
“The pandemic has hit airlines with a huge financial blow. They are only in the early stages of recovering their losses,” Stephanie Yip, editor of Finder.com.au, told The Courier-Mail.
“High fuel costs are exacerbating the problem. High fuel prices mean high flight costs. Airplanes cannot negotiate to use less fuel!”
Tips for getting the lowest airfare
Nicola Carmichael, Kayak’s brand director, has suggested some tips on how to get the cheapest flights.
“If possible … choose a” flexible “filter,” Carmichael told 7 News. “Mid-week and weekend flights and returns can be cheaper on short and long haul flights.”
She also recommends setting price alerts.
“Price alerts help travelers save money by alerting them when the price of a flight or hotel they want changes,” she said.
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